Most of us don't breathe deeply enough. Instead, we're shallow breathers and air only really enters the top part of our lungs. That's especially so for people who wear tight clothing or sit hunched over at the computer.
What we need to do is use the most important muscle used for breathing, our diaphragm. It's a sheet of muscle at the bottom of the lungs.
So, place one hand below your ribs. When you inhale, allow that hand to expand outwards. When you exhale, let that hand fall back to its original position. It may feel strange at first and it takes practice, so be patient with yourself.
So let's put it all together:
- Breathe in and count in your head starting from one
And that's it. When you're beginning, just repeat this 4 or 5 more times and work up from there.
As you practice this technique, you'll find it becomes more and more effective at relaxing you when you're stressed.
In the middle of a busy day, it's a nice way to give yourself a small, well-deserved break, to take care of you.